Expanding Three St. Cloud Schools Will Cost $17 Million

ST. CLOUD - Expanding and upgrading Clearview Elementary, Kennedy Community School and North Junior High is now expected to cost at estimated $17 million.

A meeting was held last Thursday to discuss designs and costs for the upcoming school upgrades that should be completed by the 2015-2016 school year.

Initially, District 742 estimated that the projects would cost around $12 million to complete. Design changes with a focus on safety have added more to the estimated cost.

District 742 executive director of business services, Kevin Januszewski says the largest upgrade will take place at North Junior High. There will be a two-story addition to the building and a bus chute will be added in the parking lot to increase student safety.

The front office at North will also be moved so that it's more accessable. The move will also allow staff to see those who enter the building.

The overall cost of expanding North is expected to be around $7 million.

At Clearview Elementary, new classroom construction will cost the district around $4.6 million.

Kennedy Community School originally planned to add eight classrooms, that number has increased to 10 and is now expected to cost around $4.6 million.

The projects discussed also include $770,000 going to increase the size of the Apollo High School kitchen area.

The district will discuss the designs and costs during their school board meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday night at St. Cloud City Hall.